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Why is the BRZ and GR86 the same?

Answer: They are essentially the same car—the BRZ and GR86 are twin sports coupes developed by Subaru and Toyota, sharing the same engine and platform, with branding and minor tuning differences.

In more detail, the BRZ and GR86 were born from a joint program between Subaru and Toyota to deliver a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. The two models look and drive similarly, and the core mechanical package is shared, with differences limited largely to branding, styling details, and region-specific equipment.

A Shared Foundation

Before listing what they share, it’s helpful to set the baseline: both cars are designed as entry-level, driver-focused rear-wheel-drive coupes built on the same engineering canvas. Here are the core elements they share.

Platform and drivetrain: both use a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout on a common chassis architecture tailored for responsiveness and balance.

Engine: a 2.4-liter flat-four (boxer) engine co-developed by Subaru and Toyota, delivering around 228 horsepower and about 184 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission options: a six-speed manual is widely offered, with a six-speed automatic available in many markets.

Suspension and handling: independent suspension at both ends with tuning aimed at a lightweight, communicative driving feel.

Dimensions and weight: nearly identical wheelbase, dimensions, and overall weight, producing similar handling characteristics.

In practice, this shared foundation means the BRZ and GR86 deliver a very similar driving experience, with the differences centering on branding and trim rather than core performance.

What Sets Them Apart

While the mechanical underpinnings are the same, branding, styling, and package options create distinctions buyers may notice. Here are the main differentiators.

Branding and styling: distinct design cues, front grilles, headlights, and badges corresponding to Subaru (BRZ) or Toyota (GR86), plus brand-specific color palettes and accessory offerings.

Interior details and trims: different trim materials, stitching, and interior accents tailored to each brand’s identity.

Safety and driver-assistance features: availability and packaging of advanced driver-assistance systems vary by market and model year, with Toyota Safety Sense and Subaru’s safety tech aligning differently across regions.

Calibration and driving feel: minor differences in throttle mapping, steering feel, and exhaust tone can give each badge a subtly distinct character in some markets or trims.

Pricing and options: pricing, optional packages, and color/options availability differ by brand and region, affecting value perception.

Taken together, the BRZ and GR86 remain the same car at their core; branding and market-specific details shape the purchase experience rather than the fundamental performance.

Origins and Branding

To understand why two brands market essentially the same vehicle, it helps to know the backstory of the collaboration and naming conventions.

The Toyota GR86 name

The GR86 designation reflects Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division and marks the model as Toyota’s performance-minded version of the joint platform. The “86” nods to Toyota’s heritage and the lineage of the well-known Toyota 86/FT-86 family.

The Subaru BRZ name

BRZ stands for Subaru’s branding around a boxer-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform, with a badge and styling that align with Subaru’s design language and performance character. The BRZ name signals Subaru’s take on the same underlying car.

In short, the collaboration produced two badges for one very similar automobile, giving buyers branding options without sacrificing the shared performance core.

Summary

Ultimately, the BRZ and GR86 are the same sports coupe under two brands. They share the same 2.4-liter flat-four engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, and core chassis, delivering a comparable driving experience. Distinctions live in branding, styling cues, interior details, and market-specific equipment and pricing. For enthusiasts, the choice often comes down to badge preference, dealer experience, and color/trim options rather than a meaningful difference in performance.

Why do 86 and BRZ look alike?

The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are nearly identical because they were developed through a collaboration between the two automakers, sharing the same platform, engine, and manufacturing plant. This partnership allowed both companies to reduce development costs while creating a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a boxer engine. The main differences are in the branding, some tuning, minor exterior design tweaks, and available features.

This video explains the differences between the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ: 37sWhen Hann Meets CarsYouTube · May 9, 2025
Shared features and development

Collaboration: The sports cars were a joint project between Subaru and Toyota to create a small, affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe.
Platform and manufacturing: They are built on the same platform and manufactured on the same assembly line in a Subaru factory in Gunma, Japan.
Engine: Both cars feature a horizontally opposed ("boxer") engine, which is a Subaru design.
Drivetrain: They share the same rear-wheel-drive layout.

Minor differences

Exterior styling: While the overall shape and many body panels are shared, each car has a slightly different front fascia and other minor cosmetic differences.
Tuning: Toyota and Subaru have made some minor adjustments to the suspension tuning and electronic control units (ECUs) to give each car a slightly different feel, but their basic handling is very similar.
Features: The specific features and trim levels available can vary between the two models.

Why is GR86 being discontinued?

The Toyota GR86 is being discontinued in some markets, particularly Europe, due to new safety regulations that would require major, costly redesigns to comply. While there were also initial concerns about emissions regulations in Japan, the primary reason for the discontinuation in regions like Europe was the inability of the current design to meet new safety standards without significant changes. However, a new third-generation model is expected to be developed and will likely be a hybrid.
Key reasons for discontinuation

New safety regulations: Upcoming European safety regulations, such as Euro NCAP's General Safety Regulation 2, are the main reason for the discontinuation.
Cost and engineering challenges: To meet these new standards, the GR86 would need to be completely re-engineered, which is not economically viable for a low-volume sports car like the GR86.
Impact on design: Compliance with the new regulations would detrimentally affect the car's dynamic and performance-oriented character.
Vehicle compatibility: The current GR86 design, particularly the windscreen, is reportedly incompatible with new technology required by the new safety rules, such as traffic light recognition systems.
Market-specific issue: This issue is primarily affecting the European market, where the car will be discontinued in 2024. Other markets may be less affected or have a slightly different timeline.
Manual vs. Automatic: In some markets, like Australia, the manual versions may be discontinued if they cannot be fitted with the mandatory autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which is not equipped on manual versions of the car.

Future outlook

Third-generation model: The discontinuation does not signal the end of the GR86 nameplate. Toyota is reportedly moving forward with developing a third-generation model, possibly under its own in-house development team without Subaru's collaboration.
New powertrain: The new model is rumored to have an electrified, turbocharged powertrain.

Is the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 faster?

With this engine configuration, the BRZ can reach a top speed of 155 mph. In comparison, the 2023 Toyota GR86 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds with the 2.4-liter engine. It can reach the quarter mile in 14 seconds and achieve a top speed of 140 mph.

What's better, a BRZ or GR86?

The "better" car depends on your preference: the Toyota GR86 is better for more aggressive, track-focused driving, while the Subaru BRZ is better for a more comfortable, stable daily driver. The GR86 has a stiffer suspension and a rear-biased anti-roll bar for more eager, playful handling, whereas the BRZ has a more balanced setup for better comfort over bumps and greater stability, especially at the track.

You can watch this video to learn about the differences in handling and power delivery between the GR86 and the BRZ: 55sEverydayDriverYouTube · Aug 11, 2022

Feature	Toyota GR86	Subaru BRZ
Handling	More aggressive, rear-biased, "tail-happy," and playful	More balanced, stable, and planted, which is better for the track
Suspension	Softer front springs and stiffer rear springs, with a stiffer rear anti-roll bar	Stiffer front springs and softer rear springs
Ride Quality	More rigid and energetic feel	More compliant and comfortable over bumps
Power Delivery	Tuned to feel more energetic and punchy	Tuned to be more linear and stable
Best For	Spirited street driving and track use where a playful, oversteer-happy nature is desired	Daily driving, long-distance comfort, and timed track events where maximum stability is preferred

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.